He still had his brown hair cut in what he called the Army high and tight cut. Sides and back shaved, and top just long enough to feather to the right side. His emerald-green eyes were piercing in their beauty, I remember my mom saying that's what first drew her to him. He stood at 6ft 2in and was smartly dressed in a business casual suit, grey in color. He looked good, friendly even. If you took away the fact that he left me to die and used me as a tool to increase his survival chances.
My mind locked up with all the questions and emotions that hit me at once, taking in his appearance gave me time to focus on the one thought that mattered the most. "What the fuck do you want, you coward?"
Hours later, I would wonder what kept me from shifting the moment I saw him. All I could think was that it was because I felt no threat from him. Or was it because I couldn't direct the fire in my mind?
Johnny's smile faded, and the familiar look of contempt came across his face, "Watch how you speak to me, Boy. Or I will give you the whooping I should have all those years ago. If Nancy had let me, then maybe she would still be alive. If you had been able to keep up, she wouldn't have had to go back and save your pathetic ass. You killed her, Thomas. Took my love from me. She died trying to save a useless waste of a child. You sicken me!"
His accusation struck me like a solid blow, the venom in his voice almost had me thinking he was truly the one who was wronged. But then clarity hit me all at once, as if my mother spoke the truth to me herself. "No, Johnny. She made her choice in the mall that day. She left you to come back for me. She knew that the two of you could escape and live, but to do so, she would have to give up on me. So, she made her choice, she came for me, ran back into danger for me rather than run to safety with you. That should tell you all you need to know about her feelings for you after what you did."
As I spoke, I approached him step by step, speaking clearly letting my words pierce into his mind. Hoping that they would cause one tenth of the pain I felt in my own self-blame over the years. As I finished speaking, I stood in front of him looking down. Had he always been this small? I remember him being so much bigger in my mind.
A tear actually fell from his eye, "It was your fault. You made us go there that day. If it wasn't for you, she would still be alive."
I took a deep breath as his words hit me, "A few days ago, those words may have hurt me deeply. But I know why I was there, and it was for the best of reasons. It was to prepare for the next time she saw you for who you truly were and kicked you out for good. A 14-year-old's desperate attempt to be ready for when he needed to comfort his mother once she realized what a pathetic man she had let into our life."
Johnny's eyes went wide as my words registered, his hands balled up into fists, and he swung his right fist at my midsection. I watched it coming, compared to Jasper, this was like watching a leaf float in a gentle breeze. Seeing where he was aiming, I tensed my stomach muscles and let him hit me. The impact barely registered, but it caused me to smile. In response to his action, I backhanded him across the face, in an upward motion. The back of my hand impacted along his jaw, but because I swung at an upward angle, it allowed my knuckles to drag up his cheekbone. If his head hadn't turned, I would have broken his nose too.
He stumbled back in shock and brought his hand to his face, then his eyes went slightly glassy as his legs buckled under him and his knees hit the ground. I took a step forward and tensed my leg to deliver a knee to his face as he tried to gather himself. However, before I could deliver the blow, Edward grabbed my arm, causing my balance to shift so I had to stop my knee attempt, or fall.
"Don't take it too far here, Thomas. We are still on school property. Blow for blow can be looked over, but not attacking a man while he is down. We should get to your uncle and make a statement as soon as we can."
I relaxed under Edward's words and looked at Edythe, who was next to me. She showed her own reluctance to leave this as it stood, but when she saw me looking at her, she nodded, "He is right, Thomas. Charlie needs to know what happened. We will come and give a statement as well, so there will be no question he favored you because of your relationship."
I looked down on Johnny as he spat a mouthful of blood on the ground in front of him. I took joy in seeing one tooth and a partial of another in the puddle. I thought up several parting lines and tried to decide what would hurt him the worst. But as I tried to say something, nothing sounded right. Instead, I just repeated a word Johnny often used on me when I was young and my mother wasn't around, "PATHETIC!"
Then I turned with the others, and we all got into the vehicles and drove straight to the police station.
(Johnny POV)
My mind still wouldn't come into focus. I could feel the cold, hard asphalt on my knees, but my body wouldn't stand. Watching Thomas get in the passenger seat of that beautiful car and drive away without looking back was humiliating. How dare he lay a hand on me? I was his father for years, for all intents and purposes. I was the male role model in his life, he should have looked up to me, wanted to be just like me, like I was with my dad. I always told Nancy that he was too weak and girly. Pathetic… How fucking dare, he!!!
A dull ache in my jaw finally pierced through my mind, allowing me to focus and gather myself enough to stand. I leaned against my rental car as a young girl approached. She had long corn-silk hair that was a little frizzy, and dull green eyes. Looking closer, I saw her brown roots beginning to show at her scalp and put together that she dyed it. Young and blooming were the best words I would use to describe her body shape.
"Are you okay, Mister? I saw everything. Thomas hit you for no reason. My name is Lauren. Should I call the cops?" Lauren asked.
I rubbed my jaw, "Nothing to get the cops involved in, cutie. Just a little family drama. Thomas was my stepson for a time."
Playing fast and loose with the truth, it was petty, but maybe it would start some rumors. Besides, the P.I. I hired noted that the town's Chief was Thomas's uncle. No chance he would take my word over his, even with this girl supporting me. I saw her cheeks take on a blush when I called her a cutie. Hmm, this could be fun. I am stuck here until tomorrow for the Will reading anyway. Patsy in HR was the one who told me a new Law Firm in the area called to get the particulars on Nancy's life insurance and the other benefits that were a part of the reading. As soon as I heard, I hired Mike to investigate the kid.
I need to get Thomas to sign the papers I brought with me to get my share of some of the stock's Nancy bought. Afterall it was me providing the information on them that convinced her to buy them, I am due my share now. Oh Nancy, you were such a beautiful woman. Why did you have to have that damn kid, we could have been so happy with just the two of us.
Returning my attention to the girl in front of me, "You said your name was Lauren, right? Do you know Thomas at all? I mean, obviously, he isn't popular enough for you to hang out with him much, as beautiful as you are, but surely you have heard some things you wouldn't mind sharing with me. Maybe over dinner? There is a 3-Star restaurant in Port Angeles I planned to go to tonight if you are free, that is."
I gestured to myself, "Though I will need to get myself cleaned up, obviously. That would give you time to tell your parents you will be hanging out with friends tonight. I could pick you up somewhere around 6-6:30, reservations start at 8."
Lauren started breathing so fast she almost seemed like she was hyperventilating. She was looking at the fancy car and looking for tags on my suit. It was hard to keep my face straight.
Lauren took a deep breath and gave me a smile, "Sure, I can tell you all about him. I am his sister's best friend, well, I was until she started dating Edward anyway. Both her and Thomas got all stuck up after they started dating a Cullen. It's only my mom at home, and she works the night shift at the hospital this week. She won't even know I have gone anywhere, I only see her for a couple of hours after school when she is on this shift."
"Well then, let me get your phone number and I will call you when I am more…presentable."